The quickest way to do this is to purchase some bright, funky nail varnish. I’m currently enamoured with Nail Art Mini Pens Rainbow Brights (£9.95, npw.co.uk).

The pack includes five fluorescent shades; green, yellow, orange, pink and blue, and each double-ended varnish has a brush for painting and a nib for designing, meaning you can really unleash your creative side.

The fine nibs and punchy colours allow for very vibrant outcomes and so recently, on a sunny day out in Regent’s Park, I decided to go all out and apply almost every single shade in the pack!

At first I began drawing careful designs, but after applying clear nail polish, which settled as a lilac glaze, the colours began to run. To my surprise, despite it being an accident, I quite liked the messy, arty effect and went with it – seeing my nails as mini canvasses and drawing and smudging in a haphazard manner.

The result? A whole load of compliments – more than I’ve received for any other nail varnish I’ve ever worn. Try it for yourself, after all, neon shades are bang on trend right now, making it the perfect summer look.

Colourful nails

Just like Marilyn Monroe stole the show all those years ago at the Golden Globes, when it comes to beauty, some stars have shone brighter than others on the red carpet at this year’s ceremonies. Read on to find out my favourite Red Carpet Beauty moments so far…

Marilyn Monroe won three Golden Globes between 1953 – 1962

BAFTAs

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence is gorgeous. Jennifer Lawrence is also chums with Bradley Cooper and Michael Fassbender. Jennifer Lawrence is hereby the source of all my envy. Seriously though, I do love a bit of Jen; she’s great as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games and she also seems to have a pretty grounded attitude towards Hollywood and all its silliness. Plus she looked awesome at this year’s BAFTAs.

Slicked-back hair is an unconventional and risky look for the red carpet, but the actress definitely pulled it off. Jennifer’s dark, sooty eyes looked very alluring, and given they were teamed with wet-look hair, they completed her just-out-of-the-shower, smudgy-eyed vibe. For eyes like Jennifer’s apply LCN’s Dark Midnight Glow eyeshadow, £11.45 from beautyconcepts.co.uk.

Jennifer Lawrence at the 2013 BAFTAs

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker’s beauty and fashion sense have always been unconventional, and equally out of the ordinary is her down to earth personality. Unlike typical showbiz prima donnas, SJP always comes across as warm, charismatic, and genuine – qualities which she displayed during her speech at the BAFTAs.

When the actress stepped on stage in her Elie Saab jumpsuit, I was struck by how amazing she looked. It’s been years since SATC came to an end, but SJP is looking remarkably youthful – and not in a surgically-enhanced kinda way, either. After all, the Sex and the City star has long been averse to plastic surgery.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the 2013 BAFTAs

“People used to tell me to do my nose all the time—all the time,” she told Allure in 2000. “I’m not a big fan of collagen and Botox for actresses because I think it ruins a very expressive part of our faces. I kinda dig that I’m so flawed.” Well, she may love imperfections, but SJP’s hair at the BAFTAs was absolutely flawless thanks to Charles Worthington, who worked his mane-magic on the actress before she hit the red carpet.

To achieve hair like SJP’s, the stylist recommends using Charles Worthington Instant Volume Amplifying Volume Treatment, £14.99, before running straightening irons through your hair. My favourite straighteners at the moment are Babyliss’ 2098bu Pro 230 Elegance Straighteners, Like SJP, my hair is naturally thick and curly, but these slim straighteners and their super-hot, titanium ceramic plates do a great job of taming my locks. Available to buy from TheRankTank.com for a reduced price of £34.99.

Babyliss’ 2098bu Pro 230 Elegance Straighteners

Grammys

Rihanna

It was her first official outing with Chris Brown as a couple since he assaulted her at the 2009 Grammys - a reunion which by many is seen as a controversial move on Rihanna’s part – so it was fitting that the singer opted for a bold look at this year’s awards ceremony. Speaking about her newly rekindled relationship, Rihanna said: ”If it’s a mistake, then it’s my mistake”.

Just like her defiant attitude, Rihanna’s scarlet dress. rouge lips and matching nails were fiery if not downright daring. Her long wavy hair, on the other hand, softened the overall look (which might have otherwise seemed too harsh) and reminded us that Rihanna is still a young and at times vulnerable woman. Here’s hoping Chris Brown treats her right this time.

Find out which red nail polishes and red lipsticks I like best at the moment by visiting Yesterface’s Valentine’s Day Beauty Guide!

Rihanna at the 2013 Grammys

Golden Globes

Claire Danes

Not only did Claire Danes pick up the gong for Best Actress at this year’s Golden Globes, but she came up trumps on the red carpet too.

I’ve become accustomed to seeing Danes sport a pair of manic, tired-looking eyes in her (brilliantly acted) role as CIA officer Carrie Mathison in Homeland, so it was a welcome surprise to see her all dolled up at the Globes.

Danes complimented her natural beauty with an ample dose of eyeliner and this smokey, feline look was beyond seductive; it made the actress’ electric blue eyes sizzle even more than usual. Her hair do was a total win, too. Tousled, long, glossy and voluminous, it was as far cry from the short, unassuming style worn by her character Carrie. Bravo, Claire!

Claire Danes at the 2013 Golden Globes

Jessica Alba

When it comes to style, this woman can do no wrong. Her look at the Globes was not only immaculate, but had an earthy and vibrant edge too.

Her sun-kissed California skin, burnt orange lips, subtle contouring and simple eyemakeup all worked together in perfect harmony to create a stunning overall look. Jessica Alba, I salute you. If you want lips like Jessica’s, I suggest using Sundown Mini Lipstick by Frontcover (£4.00).

Jessica Alba at the 2013 Golden Globes

Next up, the Oscars! Keep your eyes peeled for my special Oscars post, where I’ll be looking at a history of Red Carpet Beauty…

A traditional Venetian mask on display in one of the shop windows

My trip to Venice fell at the start of the 2013 Venetian Carnival, and so upon arrival I was expecting a flurry of noise and colour. However, I arrived at 11pm at night and the carnival hadn’t officially begun yet, so the first thing I was both greeted and struck by was the absolute resounding silence blanketing the entire city.

Both the air and water were still, shutters were closed everywhere, and there were no voices to be heard. Given that everybody in Venice travels either on foot or on boats, the loud hum of traffic that permeates most cities was notably absent too.

Old fashioned wigs on display in a Venetian Beauty Salon

Arriving in Venice feels akin to tumbling down the rabbit hole; the city has a dream-like quality due to its dinky streets, ethereal twilights, intricate architecture, and endless teal-tinted canals. The latter, by the way, perfectly matched the deep green China Glaze Exotic Encounters nail lacquer, £6.95, that I was wearing at the time!

After weaving my way through the mute atmosphere and traversing over countless pretty little bridges, my place of residence came into view; a lovely three-storey house placed at the edge of one of the city’s many canals. The hostess, a friendly young woman named Camilla, was so welcoming, and her house, a traditional Venetian abode with lofty rooms and a cool, artdeco vibe, was the perfect place to stay.

Venice carnival costumes

As I woke the next morning and ventured outside I noticed that the atmosphere seemed livelier. Things got increasingly buzzy throughout my stay as the city’s inhabitants and visitors prepared for the carnival. The narrow streets, initially dotted with people, eventually became rammed with dedicated carnival goers, all of which were clad in elaborate costumes and intricate masks.

I couldn’t believe the masks on display in some of the shop windows, they were all so detailed and varied - and beautiful too. Apparently there are five different types of Venetian mask: Bauta, a mask which covers the whole face, Columbina, a half mask held up by a baton, Moretta, (or Servetta Muta, meaning mute maid servant) a strapless oval mask with wide eyeholes, Larva, a white mask, and the Medico Della Peste (The Plague Doctor), a beaked mask which is by far the most sinister looking.

Masks on display in the window of a Venetian shop

According to Wikipedia (my favourite factual source), Venetian masks can be made of leather, porcelain or with the original glass technique. Original masks were simple and had practical function, but these days most are made with the application of gold leaf and all are hand-painted and decorated with feathers and gems.

Masks have always been a main feature of the carnival, which began in 1162. It’s said that traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano on December 26 and the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday.

Masks were also allowed from October 5 to Christmas, meaning people could spend a large portion of the year in disguise. Which, in some respects, is what many women do nowadays anyway, except instead of masks women conceal and decorate their faces with makeup.

Venice carnival face painting stall

Speaking of makeup, there was a lot of face painting going on during the carnival. Children everywhere had their faces decorated with a variety of colourful designs, as did adult women and men alike; I spotted one grown woman who’d had her face painted as a cat!

All around the city there were little pop up stalls where face painters had set up their work stations, and it was there that they dipped their paint brushes into palettes and transformed their customers’ faces into carnival-worthy works of art. Typically the face paint designs appeared to dominate the upper left or right side of the face, or around the eyes.

Venice carnival costumes 2013

As can be seen on the far left in the picture above, masks aren’t the only examples of beauty that you’ll find in Venice. I saw this traditional costume in the window of a shop near St Mark’s square. Its opulent and intricate design immediately grabbed me. I later saw similar dresses worn by festival goers, also pictured above, which almost looked as authentic as the dress in the shop window.

While Venice’s traditional window displays are captivating, equally striking is San Marco’s luxurious range of designer shops. The high-end fashion and jewellery on sale was impressive – as were the price tags. In one window I spotted a pair of stunning sunglasses (pictured below) whose winged frames looked straight out of the 1960s.

A pair of winged, 1960s style shades in the window display of a shop in Venice

Louis Vuitton’s window display really caught my eye too; behind the pane of glass lay a typewriter that appeared to be spitting out numerous sheets of paper, all of which were carefully and elegantly suspended in mid-air.

Like most things in Venice, thanks to the inclusion of an archaic piece of technology. even this modern Louis Vuitton display felt steeped in antiquity, and the motionless sheets of paper aptly reflected how time in Venice somehow seems to stand still.

Louise Vuitton window display in Venice

The city, whose main trade is tourism, has barely changed in appearance in centuries, and as a result has now become something of an open-air musuem. Sinking at a rate of 2mm per year, who knows how many more centuries Venice and its sleek black gondolas will be with us.

Which is why I really recommend you visit; it’s truly one of the most romantic places on the planet, and the historical selection of art, beauty and fashion to be found there is fascinating. The wine and cicchetti are delicious, too (if you ever go, make sure you visit Vini al Bottegon!)

Venice’s Grand Canal

I really rate Braun products (their epilators are brilliant) which is why I think this shaver would make a good gift. Of course it depends on your budget, but the shaver is currently reduced from £139.99 to £93.32 at Boots.

So, what makes this shaver so special? Well, firstly it has three independently moving cutting elements which adapt to facial contours, so it’s really effective at cutting both long and short hairs. It also causes less irritation than regular shavers, meaning your boyfriend will have soft kissable skin for Valentine’s Day.

Braun Series 3 Shaver: 380s Wet & Dry

This model boasts a sleek, black and blue design and has comfortable rubber grips which make it easy to hold. It’s size, shape and weight are all ideal. The shaver also comes with a charger, dock and hard black zip-up case. My boyfriend will definitely be getting this for Valentine’s Day (here’s hoping he’s not reading).

Two other products which I’d definitely recommend getting your man this year are Natural Empathy’s Clean & Mean Hair & Body Wash, £12.95, and Natural Empathy’s Care & Repair Moisturiser for Men, £29.99, both of which are worth their individual price tags.

These high quality products are free of parabens and contain pure essential oils. They also contain ingredients such as cedarwood and lavender, all of which combine to create a woody scent that smells absolutely divine. Available to buy from crystalspring.co.uk.

Natural Empathy Male Grooming Products

Another option is to buy your boyfriend a sophisticated smelling Cologne. My older brother is a massive fan of Steel by Superdry, a refreshing fragrance with top notes of lime and bergamot and rich base notes of cedarwood and moss. Steel costs £29.50 per 40ml and is available to buy at all Superdry stores and superdry.com.

One last product which I think would make a nice gift this Valentine’s is the Artamis 8 Piece Manicure Set, available to buy for £17.50 from il2l.com. It’ll be sure to keep your boyfriend’s talons and monobrow in check.

With all these products, your other half will be groomed to perfection in time for your next romantic dinner! For more Valentine’s Day cosmetics, read Yesterface’s Valentine’s Day Beauty Guide as inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.

Superdry Steel Cologne and Artamis Nail Kit

Love is blind

However you decide to spend Valentine’s Day this year, there’s no doubt that beauty products will be involved. Enter Yesterface’s Valentine’s Day Beauty Guide; here you’ll find a variety of products, all of which are designed to make you look and feel good this Valentine’s Day.

Each item has been handpicked and tested by yours truly, and each correlates with one of the Seven Deadly Sins. After all, love is a complex emotion which has the ability to evoke darker feelings such as lust and envy. So, read on and find out which products suit which sin…

1. Lust   2. Gluttony   3. Greed   4. Sloth   5. Wrath   6. Envy   7. Pride

Lipstick has been a symbol of adult sexuality since the 1930s; a study in 1937 revealed that over 50% of teenage girls fought with their parents over lipstick. So there you have it, lipstick, in particular red lipstick, has sexual connotations for a reason. If you fancy opting for sexy red lips this Valentine’s Day, I suggest you choose any single one of the lovely products below….

Red lip products for Valentines Day

Bella Pierre lipstick in “Ruby” (bottom left) has a bright, almost tomato-like hue. It allows for great precision and has a soft creamy texture. Available to buy from amazon.co.uk for £12.35 (RRP £14.99).

LilyLolo lipstick in “Desire” (top left) This lipstick boasts a rich, punchy red shade and pretty packaging. Available to buy from lilylolo.co.uk for £7.99 (I’m wearing this lipstick in the picture below).

Pür Minerals Lip Gloss Stick in “Berry Pretty” (top middle) offers a subtle shade which gives lips a kissable sheen. It goes on easily, tastes lovely, and looks great by itself or as a finishing touch to already painted lips. Available to buy from Marks & Spencers for £16.

LUSH Liquid Lipstick in “Power Without Force” (top right). A golden red, this lipstick is creamy, shimmery and its matte finish stays put even when it comes into contact with drink. The handmade lipstick boasts woody notes and contains jojoba oil, candellila wax, and rose wax. Available to buy from LUSH for £14.50.

Dita Von Teese Lip Lacquer in “Sexpert” by Art Deco (bottom right) is dark, dramatic and utterly vampish. This lip lacquer’s thick, glossy and blood-like hue is seriously seductive. Available to buy from artdeco.de.

Red lipstick for Valentines Day

LUSH “The Kiss” Lip Gloss (lower middle) is a delicious soothing balm which makes your lips feel soft and ready to smooch. It’s free of preservatives and contains shea and cupuacu butters. The tin is cute and nifty too. Available to buy from LUSH for £5.50.

French Kiss Gum (centre). Well, you can’t honestly expect to have a satisfying snog without fresh breath now can you. French Kiss Gum, which is apparently used by Hollywood celebs before onscreen kisses, promises to “obliterate odors instantly”. The flavour’s nice enough, but it’s the kitsch packaging that I really like. Available to buy from frenchkissgum.com.

à la carte Lip Gloss in Passionista (middle right). Despite its scarlet hue, this lipgloss isn’t as bright as you’d imagine and actually has a pink tinge. The texture is sticky, in a good way, and the lipgloss has a sparkly finish which catches the light beautifully. Available to buy from cosmeticsalacarte.com for £20.

The lipgloss would look gorgeous teamed with either one of the blushers pictured below. Also made by à la carte, both blushers, which cost £28 each, have lust written all over them.

“Whisper” promises a more subtle shimmer, whereas “Fire” will give your cheeks a tint of burning desire. I love the blushers’ compact cases as they have built in mirrors and attached sheets of protective plastic which effectively reduce mess.

a la carte blushers

Visit the main menu to read the rest of Yesterface’s Valentine’s Day Beauty Guide, as inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.

Cleopatra was a big fan of the rose, and ensured her banqueting hall was filled with two feet of fragrant roses for Mark Anthony’s first visit from Rome. If you fancy following in the Pharaoh’s footsteps, then I recommend using Ancienne Ambience’s beautifully scented Mini Rosa Bath Salts, £4 from ancienneambiance.com.

Before bathing, set the mood with the huge Red Heart Rose Candle pictured below, £32, also by Ancienne Ambience. The candle is created with the softest rose fragrance, which is reminiscent of roses from ancient Damascus where for centuries the Damask Rose was a symbol of beauty and love. Can’t get much more romantic than that.

Ancienne Ambience Heart Candle

Once you’re out of the bath, lather yourself with Arbonne’s luxurious Aromassentials Unwind Massage Oil. I absolutely love this product as it boasts a calming yet refreshing scent thanks to its camomile and ylang ylang ingredients. Its silky texture feels lovely when massaged into your skin, too. I suffer from psoriasis and find this oil particularly soothing for affected areas. Available for £29 from arbonneinternational.co.uk.

Another nice, relaxing product is Petits JouJoux’s aramomatherapy candle which doubles up as massage oil.  The candle, which has a lovely scent, comes in a pretty white ceramic container with a discreet spout. The wax melts into a warm massage oil ready to use on either your own skin or your partner’s – or both!

I was surprised the first time I used this product as I was expecting the oil to be piping hot, but once you extinguish the flame you can pour the warm oil straight onto skin. The oil contains nourishing ingredients such as jojoba oil and shea butter which leave your skin feeling soft and moisturised. Prices start at £14.99 and there are six scents to choose from in total. Available to buy from Nice’n'Naughty and La Coquette.

For more sinfully satisfying products, read the rest of Yesterface’s Valentine’s Day Beauty Guide as inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.

Arbonne Aromassentials Unwind Massage Oil

Bijoux Kissable Massage Oil‘s dark chocolate flavour has sharp, citrusy notes and tastes like a luxurious version of Cadbury Roses’ Tangy Orange Creme. “Forente”, a subcategory of the sin gluttony, means “to eat wildly”, and there’s no way you’ll fail to commit this cardinal crime with this product to hand. Available from cuckooland.com for £26.95 (reduced from £34).

For more seductive products, read the rest of Yesterface’s Valentine’s Day Beauty Guide as inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.

Bijoux Edible Massage Oil

It looks great when applied along your lower eyeline and the shade is bang on trend; you need only take a look at the dresses which appeared on the Grammy Awards Red Carpet this year to know that the colour green is de rigueur at the moment.

Artdeco eyeliner in Fir Tree

For more seductive products, read the rest of Yesterface’s Valentine’s Day Beauty Guide as inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.